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Minnesota Guide

How to Gift a Car in Minnesota

Last verified: October 2026 against Minnesota DVS and Minnesota Revenue sources

Minnesota does not tax a gift between spouses, between parents and a child, or between grandparents and a grandchild, and no affidavit is required. Other gifts are taxed on the car’s fair market value.

Here is how to transfer a gifted car.

Step by step

  1. 1

    Check whether the gift is tax-free

    Gifts between spouses, between parents and a child, and between grandparents and a grandchild are not taxed. No affidavit is required.

  2. 2

    Know how other gifts are taxed

    A gift to anyone else is taxed at 6.875% of the vehicle’s fair market value at the time of the gift.

  3. 3

    Complete the title

    The giver signs the assignment and completes the disclosures. You complete the assignment and application portions of the title.

  4. 4

    Transfer within 10 days

    Transfer the title at a deputy registrar office within 10 days.

  5. 5

    Pay the title fees

    Title fees still apply: $36 in total ($8.25 title, $12 filing, $2.25 technology surcharge, $10 transfer tax, and $3.50 public safety vehicle fee).

Other transfers Minnesota does not tax

  • Inheritance, including a vehicle inherited at death
  • From joint tenancy to one of the joint tenants, with no payment
  • From an individual into their revocable trust
  • Between husband and wife in a divorce proceeding

What to bring

  • The title, signed over by the giver with the disclosures completed
  • Your completed assignment and application on the title, with your full name, date of birth, and residential address
  • A signed lien release card or notarized lien release, if the vehicle has a loan
  • The odometer disclosure (2011 and newer) and damage disclosure
  • Payment for the $36 in title fees, plus tax if the gift is not exempt

Estimate your Minnesota costs

For a tax-free family gift, enter $0 as the price. For other gifts, enter the car’s fair market value.

Open the full Minnesota calculator

Vehicle & Transaction Details

Enter purchase information to calculate true out-of-pocket costs in Minnesota.

51 Jurisdictions Active
Minnesota 6.875% tax base
$
7 years old
Sets the registration fee
$

Minnesota bases registration on the price when new, reduced as the vehicle ages. Blank uses $30,000.

Minnesota tag options
1-Year Term (Minnesota registers for one year)
EV surcharge rules
Lien fee: $2.00
Minnesota: Deductible
$

Minnesota Statute: Minnesota allows trade-in value on private sales to be deducted from the purchase price before applying the 6.875% fee.

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Estimated taxes & fees

Estimated taxes & fees

Jurisdiction

Minnesota

Estimated taxes & fees
$1,266.25

Sales/Excise Tax + Title Certificate + Tags & Registration

Itemized Line ItemEstimated Fee
1Vehicle Sales / Excise Tax (6.875%)

Calculated at 6.875% on taxable base of $15,000

$1,031.25
2Certificate of Title Fee

Standard state title certificate issuance

$36.00
3Lien / Security Filing Fee

Unfinanced / cash purchase (waived $0.00)

$0.00
4Registration & Tag Fee

Base license plates & tags for a $30,000.00 list price

$199.00

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Minnesota rates last verified: October 2026
Official Notice & Statutory Disclaimers

Estimates only, not tax or legal advice. Verify with Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) or the Minnesota Department of Revenue.

Minnesota’s Motor Vehicle Sales Tax is 6.875%. A trade-in allowance reduces the taxable price when the seller takes a vehicle in trade.

Plates and registration stay with the vehicle and pass to you, so the registration tax shown is what you pay at the next renewal: $10 plus 1.575% of the original MSRP, reduced by the vehicle’s age ($30 from its 11th year). Renewal filing fees and any county wheelage tax are extra.

Electric vehicles pay at least $150 a year more and plug-in hybrids at least $75, or more based on the MSRP and age.

A deputy registrar office adds a $1 local office surcharge to title transactions.

Minnesota’s sources do not say whether its electric vehicle and plug-in hybrid fees apply to motorcycles, so the estimate leaves them out for a motorcycle. Confirm with Driver and Vehicle Services.

County & Local Tax Note: Minnesota’s 6.875% Motor Vehicle Sales Tax applies statewide; local sales taxes do not apply to vehicles. Some cities and counties charge a $20 local vehicle excise tax, and many counties add a wheelage tax at registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this Minnesota DVS and Minnesota Revenue process.

Gifts between spouses, between parents and a child, and between grandparents and a grandchild. No affidavit is required.

Sources

Last verified: October 2026. Rules change, so check with Minnesota DVS and Minnesota Revenue before you go.

More Minnesota guides

How to Title a Private Car Sale in MinnesotaThe title assignment, 10-day transfer, 6.875% tax, and fees.Titling a Car in Minnesota After Moving From Another StateThe 60-day deadline, documents, tax, and registration tax.
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